01 n. The title by which any person or thing is known or designated; a distinctive specific appellation, whether of an individual or a class.
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1.
The title by which any person or thing is known or designated; a distinctive specific appellation, whether of an individual or a class.“Whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.” — Gen. ii. 19.“What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.” — Shak.
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2.
A descriptive or qualifying appellation given to a person or thing, on account of a character or acts.“His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” — Is. ix. 6.
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3.
Reputed character; reputation, good or bad; estimation; fame; especially, illustrious character or fame; honorable estimation; distinction.“What men of name resort to him?” — Shak.“Far above . . . every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.” — Eph. i. 21.“I will get me a name and honor in the kingdom.” — 1 Macc. iii. 14.“He hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin.” — Deut. xxii. 19.“The king's army . . . had left no good name behind.” — Clarendon.
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4.
Those of a certain name; a race; a family.“The ministers of the republic, mortal enemies of his name, came every day to pay their feigned civilities.” — Motley.
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5.
A person, an individual.[Poetic]“They list with women each degenerate name.” — Dryden.
Phrases & compounds
Christian name —
The name a person receives at baptism, as distinguished from surname; baptismal name; in western countries, it is also called a first name.
Given name —
See under Given.
In name —
in profession, or by title only; not in reality; as, a friend in name.
In the name of —
In behalf of; by the authority of.
Name plate —
a plate as of metal, glass, etc., having a name upon it, as a sign; a doorplate.
Pen name —
a name assumed by an author; a pseudonym or nom de plume.
Proper name —
a name applied to a particular person, place, or thing.
To call names —
to apply opprobrious epithets to; to call by reproachful appellations.
To take a name in vain —
to use a name lightly or profanely; to use a name in making flippant or dishonest oaths.
Syn.
Appellation; title; designation; cognomen; denomination; epithet.
-- Name, Appellation, Title, Denomination. Name is generic, denoting that combination of sounds or letters by which a person or thing is known and distinguished. Appellation, although sometimes put for name simply, denotes, more properly, a descriptive term (called also agnomen or cognomen), used by way of marking some individual peculiarity or characteristic; as, Charles the Bold, Philip the Stammerer. A title is a term employed to point out one's rank, office, etc.; as, the Duke of Bedford, Paul the Apostle, etc. Denomination is to particular bodies what appellation is to individuals; thus, the church of Christ is divided into different denominations, as Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, etc.